August Home’s Smart Lock with the Connect Wi-Fi Bridge solves a specific friction point: you no longer need to be within Bluetooth range to lock or unlock your door. The lock installs over your existing deadbolt, so you keep your physical keys as a backup. The satin nickel finish blends in with standard hardware, and the unit itself is compact—2.6 by 1.63 by 4.8 inches—so it doesn’t bulge awkwardly on your door.

Setup takes about 10 minutes with a screwdriver. The auto-lock feature is configurable in the app, letting you set a timer from 30 seconds to 5 minutes after the door closes. This is useful if you habitually forget to lock up. The keyless entry works via the August app on iOS 9.0 or Android 5.0 and up, or through a biometric fingerprint sensor on supported keypads. The Connect bridge plugs into a standard 110-240V outlet and extends your control to anywhere with an internet connection.

One limitation: the lock requires a smartphone or a separate keypad for keyless operation. There’s no built-in touchscreen or number pad on the lock itself. If you want to grant access to guests without installing an app, you’ll need to buy the optional keypad. Battery life is solid at roughly six months with typical use, and the app alerts you before the four AA cells run low.